Sea Gods Carta Marina 12′ - Review 2023

The Carta Marina is Something to Behold

When you consider the Sea Gods Carta Marina, you’re getting a paddle board, and a piece of art. The extra-long, chevron ombre deck pad is fun to look at and provides comfortable traction. But flip the board over, and Marc Anthony Jacobson’s Aboriginal artwork may make you want to hang the board on the wall.

Of course, if you did that, you would have to buy another board. So let’s refocus on all the Carta Marina ULF Touring iSUP’s other features– that will make you want to keep it off the wall and on the water.

Features

As Sea Gods continues to produce quality products, we were excited to test out their latest Carta Marina model. In addition to a change in the artwork, this latest version of the ULF got some upgrades that piqued our interest.

Construction & Design

The Carta Marina  is a 12′ x 32” touring paddle board made of a lightweight, .7mm “super-reinforced,” 12,800/M2 PVC with UV protectant. Its seams are heat-molded and reinforced with seam strips along the rails for protection and increased rigidity.

For its lightweight material –which keeps it about 4.5 lbs lighter than average touring iSUPs– it’s impressively stiff, only giving slightly under the usual stress tests. This translates into a weight capacity that is surprisingly more than boards like the heavy-duty Blue Fin Cruise Carbon, which is similar in quality, price, and size.

It has the standard pointed nose and square tail, which gives it the increased tracking and speed touring paddlers are looking for. And there are several notable features that will appeal to newer paddle boarders as well as the more seasoned.

Extra-Long Deckpad

The chevron ombre design of the 5mm thick EVA diamond deck pad makes you feel like you’re in a video game, stepping onto the board to recharge your life force.

Each piece of the pad is created separately and then puzzled-pieced and fused together on the board. The deck extends from the front cargo bungee almost all the way back to the tail, ensuring you have grip for step-back turns. Though there is no kick-pad, so there you’re on your own.

Inflation Valve

The inflation valve has a heavy-duty Halkey-Roberts fitting and is rated for 29 psi, which means it should never fail with the board’s max of 20 psi and 14-18 psi recommended inflation range. Another example of Sea Gods’ affinity for making things perfect.

Artwork

Maybe the most thrilling feature of Sea Gods’ boards is getting to see the board artwork in full scale. We consider the latest Carta Marina ULF model an upgrade from the 2021 version.

This updated model carries a different weight. It’s a printing of a hand-painted canvas by Aboriginal artist Marc Anthony Jacobson. The piece is conceptual and inspired by “the love story of the legend of White Rock,” honoring the heritage of the city where Sea Gods was founded.

You will be hard pressed to find another board or company so devoted to aesthetics.

FlexFin

Another stand-out feature that speaks to Sea Gods quest for longevity is their flexfin technology.

The board’s 9” long (slightly above average), hatchet-style racing fin comes in a Mountain Dew colored, neon green that’s energizing just to look at. Which is a good thing, since it’s designed to be looked at forever. That is, It’s made of an “unbreakable,” flexible material. No risk of cracking getting in and out of the water.

The fin also mounts with a Kumano “click-in” system. Simply align the plugs on the fin, slide it into the fin box, and apply pressure until it clicks and locks into place. Sea gods include replacement plugs in the package, in case these do break.

Handles

Sea Gods are toward the top of the industry when it comes to handles. The Carta Marina’s 7 total neoprene handles make it very easy to grab ahold of and carry anywhere.

There are portage handles on the nose and tail, one at center, two on either side towards the front of the deck, and two removable velcro handles near the rear.

D-Rings

15 total. Four securing the cargo bungee in the back, eight securing the bungee in front, two on either side of the deck towards the center for that trekker/kayak seat, and one neatly positioned at the tail for your leash.

Universal Action Camera Mounts

That’s right– mounts, plural. There are two, quarter-inch threaded universal mounts on either side of the board at the bottom of the eight-point bungee system.

The ability to mount and reposition your camera as needed is a cool feature Sea Gods has built into the Carta Marina. We like it on longer trips, and with 2 points, it ensures you are always catching your good side. Not to mention all the other accessories these mounts now accommodate, like fishing poles and cup holders.

Bungees

Two sets of bungees, one four-point system in the rear and another eight point system in the front aren’t something to write home about, but they will surely do the job for most cargo needs.

Plus, the extra d-rings and width make it even easier to bring along that deck cooler, extra dry bag, or other piece of gear.

Sea Gods brand standards also make them an appealing company to buy your extras from.

Customer Service and Warranty

We’d be remiss to go on without mentioning Sea Gods’ customer service. Of course, few other companies offer a lifetime warranty, which is one of the more impressive selling points for this board. It covers any manufacturer defects over the “reasonable life” of the board. Unfortunately, it only covers accessories for one year, but this is still more than other brands.

Sea Gods’ website is also impressive. It features chat AND video-call customer service with real human beings. The response times are generally within minutes but take longer based on the complexity of the question. Refreshing and expected from a real-life conversation! The answers are thorough, sometimes beyond what was asked, and include live pictures (as needed) of products in their warehouse.

All of the above make the online shopping experience very personal, and give us the sense that Sea Gods truly wants to deliver the quality you pay for.

Performance

The Carta Marina’s build and beauty are maybe the best reasons to have it on your radar, but it’s also a worthy performer on the water. Though it’s no racing board, it certainly satisfies a lot of the essential needs any touring paddler looks for. These fundamental strengths make it the perfect fit for not only someone new to SUP touring, but also, in love with the sport for the long term.

Tracking

The most impressive of all its performance characteristics, the Carta Marina tracks very well. The sharply pointed nose and square tail combine with the (slightly longer than average) 9”, hatchet-style fin to achieve this.

The longer fin length is often used on racing and touring SUPs to improve tracking, and it definitely makes a difference here. You should be able to paddle on your strong side for good distances before having to switch and straighten out.

Stability

The fin combines with the Carta Marina’s good rigidity to work wonders for keeping it stable on the water.

The 32″ width of the Carta Marina is both stable and functional. It affords more space for cargo, increasing storage options on longer or overnight trips. There’s also reasonable room to attach the kayak seat to the d-rings at the front and back of the deck–giving new touring paddlers yet another possible experience to add to their resume.

Speed

Because of the board’s shape and large, powerful, paddle blade, it’s easy to get moving. But racers will not be happy with the Carta Marina. Some researchers have clocked its sprint speed at 3.5mph, with a 2.1mph casual speed. So–no faster than walking. One wonders how an extra six inches in length might improve this and its glide–along the lines of the Gili Meno 12’6”.

Of course, it’s still better than an all-around board. Less-experienced tourers will notice the difference. But the width and slightly shorter length (for a touring board) ensure you won’t be leaving wakes behind you.

Maneuvering

The same is true for maneuvering. This board is designed to keep you moving forward smoothly and consistently, so sharp turns won’t be as quick.

That said, these kinds of actions aren’t usually necessary. So, the steering most SUPers need to do on the Carta Marina will be more than manageable.

Portability and Storage

The biggest benefits of iSUPs are portability and storage. The Carta Marina is no exception. All folded and packed, it should fit next to you in the passenger seat or trunk of your car.

At 40lbs, though, the whole package is a bit heavy. The extra heft could get annoying if you have to hike a while to your put-in spot. There are lots of handles on the pack in addition to the shoulder straps if you need to change your grip, and the wheeled backpack will make transport fine on pavement.

You should take care when hefting this extra weight. Be sure to use your legs if you’re lifting it to strap on the roof of your car, and check your wall-anchors when hanging it or tossing it onto a shelf for storage.

Included Accessories

There are no surprises in this accessory package. Whereas some boards come with shoulder straps, or kayak seats, etc, the Carta Marina ULF includes just the basics. What you do get, however, is quality stuff. Along with the four P’s: Pack, Pump, Paddle, and Patch kit, comes a very nice neoprene leash and the unique “no break” hatchet fin for longevity and improved tracking.

These are the details:

Backpack

The rugged wheels for this backpack make it look ready to go off-roading. They should hold up during whatever hiking you have to your put-in spot. In addition to shoulder straps, the pack also has multiple carry handles on the back, bottom, and top, as well as an eight-point bungee on the outside for an extra dry-bag, towel, etc. It looks pretty cool, too.

Pump

The dual-action hand pump inflates on upward and downward motion, which makes manual inflation faster and easier. As the pressure in the board increases, the pump then inflates only on the downward motion.

Fin

Includes a neon green, 9”, hatchet style fin made of flexible material to prevent breaking. As part of the Kumano Fin system, it simply clicks into place.

Paddle + Blade

Carbon paddles are the best on the market because of their balance between lightness and durability. The Carta Marina comes with a sweet, 3-piece carbon fiber paddle with nylon blade. Its length ranges from 36.5-81 inches long to accommodate a variety of heights or paddling positions.

The blade has a slight scoop and covers a lot of area at 8.5” x 17.” Though this size allows for less acceleration, it makes for great power and efficiency over long distances.

Leash

The coil leash comes in a cool blue color and can extend to 11 feet long. It attaches to a convenient D-ring hidden out of the way behind the valve on the tail. The band is a pretty thick neoprene, making it comfortable to wear.

The Sea Gods Carta Marina ULF also includes a Patch/Repair kit and a Halkey-Roberts wrench.

Value

The Carta Marina is, as 12-foot iSUPs go, pretty expensive. It can range from $905-$1,069. It’s also not widely available beyond Sea Gods website, so deal-hunting is tougher than with other boards.

However, if you’re an avid paddler or you’re looking for a long-term investment–the Carta Marina is definitely worth consideration. Between the lifetime warranty, reinforced materials, versatility of its design features, and quality accessories, you’re getting something functional and built to last. The Carta Marina also offers similar if not better capabilities than the closely priced Blackfin 12’6” and Bluefin Cruise Carbon, giving it good company in the high-end category.

The board’s design serves both casual or journeying purposes nicely, and gives you the option to take a passenger for on-the-water hangs and shared sightseeing.

But the kicker, really, is the artwork. The artistic focus is what sets the Sea Gods brand apart, and it’s also part of what you’re paying for. You are sure to have one of the most captivating boards on the water, but if this isn’t ultimately your concern–there are similar touring iSUPs out there for you at a more affordable price.

Do We Recommend It?

We definitely recommend the Carta Marina ULF Touring iSUP. Especially if you fall into one of the following categories:

• A beginner or intermediate paddle boarder looking for an introduction to touring. This board’s stability, tracking, and compatibility with add-ons and cargo options make it ideal for developing your touring experience and skills.
• Art lover and supporter. If you love the idea of supporting independent artists, or want the beauty of your board to match the beauty of your surroundings, Marc Anthony Jacobson’s artwork meets the need.
• Long-term iSUP investor. Even if you just plan to paddle casually, or from time to time, you can expect the Carta Marina to perform when you need it to. Its accessories are also built to last. And if something does go wrong–Sea Gods makes it clear that arranging repairs/maintenance with them is no problem.

There may be other, more affordable touring boards out there, but the Carta Marina ULF Touring iSUP guarantees you’ll enjoy your paddling experience one way or another. And with Sea Gods reputation for artwork, any board of theirs will be worth the look.